WKU names Cherry Presidential scholars

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Western Kentucky University has selected 15 students as recipients of the 2016-17 Cherry Presidential Scholarship, the school’s most prestigious academic award.

The scholarship is valued at $16,000 annually and worth $64,000 during a four-year period.

The students were among 48 applicants who visited WKU on Feb. 12 for activities that included an interview. In addition to demonstrating outstanding scholastic achievement at the secondary level, applicants submitted personal statements and essays as part of the selection process.

The recipients had an average GPA of 3.98 and an average ACT score of 32.7. There are seven Kentucky Governor’s Scholars, one participant in the Kentucky Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs and one National Merit Semifinalist in the group of recipients.

The 2016-17 Cherry Presidential Scholarship recipients include:

Alexandra Johnston of Warsaw, a senior at Gallatin County High School who plans to major in pre-veterinary medicine.

Christopher Sanders of Hebron, a senior at Conner High School who plans to major in mechanical engineering.

Kaylin Wells of Falmouth, a senior at Pendleton County High School who plans to major in marketing.

Mary Wurtz of Crestview Hills, a senior at Villa Madonna Academy who plans to major in journalism.